Perfect Pair!!!

Thanksgiving filled with Family....

2011-12-06T16:07:00.004-06:00

We had a GREAT Thanksgiving this year. I again cooked for the family. Katie and Baby "E" definitely enjoyed the feast. Katie is so adorable. Her little 5'1" frame looks so cute and sweet with that little "bump" finally poking out there. She and Brandon are actually at the Dr's today for her 16 week check up. He has yet to miss an appointment. I am so proud to see him being so excited and involved. The pictures I am posting are from Thanksgiving and her "bump" picture is actually a week old now. But you can see for yourself....she is absolutely adorable!!!!!!
I LOVE our family picture we snapped out of the front porch. It will be one of the pictures included on our Christmas cards.
Speaking of Christmas......I am struggling to get in to the mood to decorate....not in the Christmas Spirit of buying gifts, but decorate. I have NEVER struggled like this before. Maybe because this will be the first year in 15 years that I am not hosting Christmas at our house. Not really sure but hope the decorating spirit moves soon.
I hope you all are not in the rut that I appear to be in. I hope your homes are filled with decorations and festivities. Most of all I pray your home is filled with LOVE.

Please feel free to visit her weekly blog also....... http://www.babyeubank.blogspot.com/

It's official....I'm Going To Be A GiGi!!!!!!!

2011-11-15T00:03:00.001-06:00

Well, our gag order has been lifted and I am now allowed to shout it from the roof tops.........We are expecting our FIRST grand baby!!!!!!!! We are so excited! I am including the link to Baby Eubank's website Katie has set up for anyone interested in following. Click here for Baby Eubank website
Katie and Brandon invited us parents and Blake, our youngest son and Whitney, his girlfriend to dinner. When Sheri, Katie's mom and I opened our menu we found a sonogram picture of Baby Eubank inside the menu. What a great and joyous night that was. I think we have all been floating on a cloud since that night. I am hoping to be called GiGi since my other choice is already taken. I came up with that name because it is my first initial and my middle name initial, "Gina Gayle."
Now....not only are we learning how to be parents to adult children, learning how to be great in-laws but NOW we are having to add learning how to be WONDERFUL grand-parents to this journey in our lives. Wow......I need all the prayers I can get!!!! Lesson one.....Love my God, husband, children, their spouses and our grand-children with ALL of our hearts.....and pray.............

The night Brandon and Katie told us at dinner

12 Week check up sonogram....

Katie's first posting on Baby Eubank's site.....

Our Family Has Expanded!!!!

2011-10-31T21:42:00.001-05:00

What a great day that happened a year ago last July 10th. I know, I am a little slow at posting it, but better late than never.... :-) Trust me...."New" news will be coming soon!!!!
All of the planning for the last year and a half had come to an end. We were finally able to enjoy the fruits of our hard work. We were on a budget and chose to do 99% of the wedding our selves including the invites, out of town guest bags, center pieces, programs etc. Wow...it was a lot of work but at the same time it saved us a TON of money. Had we not done so much our selves we have estimated that it would have been around $60,000+.
I made this album to celebrate Brandon & Katie's big day.
Where the pictures are of them at the front of the church, I was able to insert their exact vows, prayers, and blessings. On the Best Man & Father of the Bride Toast, again, I put the exact toast for them to remember always. Special times between parents and bride and groom have special poems. My goal on this album was to make it to where they can relive their big day over and over with all the special details. I also hope that their children, my grandchildren, will be able to experience what a special day it was.

I hope you enjoy!

Brandon & Katelyn's Wedding |

Does the 3 Day and 3 Nights of Death, Burial and Reserection Add Up????

2011-03-23T14:24:00.002-05:00

I am learning so much as I study the through The Old Testiment studying The Jewish Bible and through the teachings of Christians and Messianic Jews who meet to learn Torah and Old Testament (Tanach) from a Biblical and Messianic perspective, and thentrying to apply my understanding to the works of Messiah (Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach) in the New Testament and ultimately to our lives and personal relationship with the God of Israel. Through my studying I have learned and come to appreciate Jewish culture yet at the same time learning where and how Christianity falls in line. It is all becoming very clear and answering ALOT of questions I have asked that have never been answered. Hopefully some of your questions regarding the Death, Burial and Resurrection will be come clear as to the way I understand it. I will be using the original Hebrew words when referring to important facts that could get lost in translation. Lets dig in.....after all this is fun to learn leading up to Easter.

Explanation: Aviv is the original Hebrew name for this month that, after the Babylonian exile, also started to be called by its Babylonian name Nisan. The first of these 3 festivals is Pesach, Passover.

After starting the study today I started asking my self the same question as the study topic. Up until today honestly, I have not given it much thought...... how it is that Messiah could be crucified on Friday, buried, and then resurrected on Sunday, and that satisfy the “3 days and 3 nights” that prophecy seems to require? Any child knows that the math doesn’t add up. So I hope to take you through the procedure carefully. I’ll add some facts that have been missing that I have learned up until now, and then it will all come together.

So Passover is the first Festival of the season and then Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Matza, is the 2^nd of the group and it commemorates the day that Israel actually began its march out of Egypt. While Passover is a 1-day event, Matza is a 7-day event that begins the day immediately following Passover. Because this event happened suddenly and Israel had to leave in hurry there was no time for the Hebrews to prepare their staple food which was bread, in the normal way (by adding yeast, letting it rise, and then baking it). Instead the Jews had to prepare a kind of bread that did NOT utilize yeast. This bread, Matza, was not even baked; it was prepared by being placed on an open griddle to cook in a similar way as we cook pancakes. Matza is the bread of nomads, wanderers without a homeland; and Israel was about to become a nation of nomads for a 40-year period.

The Torah is the Five Books of Moses

The last festival of the group of 3 is called Bikkurim (Hebrew name), or Firstfruits, which on the FIXED Jewish calendar occurred earlier this week. Firstfruits occurs the day immediately following the 1^st day of Matza. So we have the starting of each festival on the 14^th, 15^th, and 16^th of Aviv. The final day of the festival is the 21^st of Aviv. We’ll come back to more about Firstfruits shortly.

Another important feature of the Biblical Festivals is that God added some extra Sabbath days to them. There are 2 kinds of Biblical Sabbath days: the regular weekly 7^th day Sabbath that we’re all familiar with, and the festival Sabbaths (also termed “high” or “great” Sabbaths) that were always part of the festivals. In the series of 3 spring feasts, the 1^st day of the 7-day festival of Matza was one of those added Sabbaths, as was the final day of the 7 days of Matza.

Now, according to the Torah Passover was on Aviv 14: the first day of Matza was on Aviv 15 and then there was a lull until the 7^th day Sabbath came and on the following day Firstfruits was to be celebrated. Not all the Jews in Jesus' time thought this was correct. But this was the way the Sadducees practiced it because the Sadducees controlled the priesthood and everything that went on at the Temple during that era.

Just as the slaughtering of the Pesach Lamb (Passover) is the focal point of the Springtime Festivals, so it is for Believers in Yeshua who understand that His death and resurrection are THE key events in His ministry that so profoundly affect us all.

Let’s examine the momentous events that surrounded Christ’s death and how it would have played out on a timeline.

Note; that a Biblical day begins and ends at sunset. Our modern day that uses mechanical clocks as our time measuring devices, makes 12 midnight when one day ends and the new begins. It has nothing to do with sunrise or sunset.

Aviv 13 (which in the year Jesus died would have been a Wednesday) is the day before Passover. It was on Wednesday the 13^th that the disciples had the special meal prepared that we call The Last Supper and have transformed it into a church sacrament that we call Communion. We find in the Mishna that the Galileans (Yeshua and his disciples were Galileans) adopted a tradition that in Hebrew is called, seudah maphsehket; this translates essentially to “last supper”. The Galilean Jews (Yeshua and His disciples were Galileans) had established an additional celebration called seudah maphsehket (last supper) that the Judean Jews (the Jews of the Jerusalem area) did not observe. This last supper was about remembering that it was indeed not ALL Hebrews who were in danger from death at God’s hand in Egypt, but ONLY the firstborn sons. So a special nighttime meal was adopted whereby this meal would be eaten and then there would be a 24 hour fast that followed……thus the name “last supper”. The next meal to be eaten was the Passover meal.

So on Aviv 13, Wednesday, the seudah maphsehket was prepared; HOWEVER, it was not eaten on Aviv 13. Rather, it was after sundown, at the end of the day of Aviv 13, that the meal was taken. That is, it was eaten as the first meal of the next day, Thursday Aviv 14^th (remember the beginning of a new day is just after sundown). The meal called “last supper” was generally eaten starting in the first hour of Passover. It is here that Yeshua says to commemorate this day by drinking wine that symbolizes His blood that establishes the New Covenant, and by eating unleavened bread that symbolizes His body to which we become in union. NOTE: this was NOT the traditional Passover Seder meal; that meal was yet to come because that meal is not eaten until the END of Passover day.

Therefore at the start of the day of Aviv 14, Thursday (which is nighttime), Passover day, the Galileans ate a special meal commemorating firstborns, and that meal was called “last supper.” After having the last supper where Yeshua proclaimed the words we now call Communion, the next event is that Judas betrays Him and shortly after midnight Our Lord is arrested. It is still Passover day. In the wee hours a little before sunrise, He is tried and convicted of blasphemy by the Sanhedrin. It is still Passover Day. After the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, confirms his death sentence Jesus is scourged and then nailed to Roman cross by Roman soldiers. It is still Passover Day, Thursday, Aviv 14.

At about the moment Jesus dies (around 3 pm in the afternoon on Passover Day) the slaughter of the Passover Lambs begins in the Temple grounds. Somewhere around ¼ million sheep will be killed and their blood collected between the hours of 3 pm and 6 pm. It is still Passover Day because the sun has not yet set.

While this is occurring the women are hurrying to convince the Roman soldiers to remove Messiah’s corpse from the execution stake; it is a requirement that they MUST get Him buried immediately because otherwise He would just lay exposed for at least 2 days. Why? I’ll get there in a minute. The women are relieved when the soldiers relent, take his dead body down, and then Yeshua (Yeshua comes from the Hebrew word The word actually means "salvation.") is entombed before the sun sets. It is still Passover Day.

The butchered lambs are placed in the thousands of collective ovens located all around Jerusalem….both inside and outside the city walls….so that the hundreds of thousands of visiting Jewish pilgrims can cook their Passover Lambs. It is still Passover Day. Shortly after the sun sinks over the horizon 3 stars become visible thus ending Passover Day. It is nighttime, Passover Day has ended and the 1^st day of the Feast of Matza begins. It is now Aviv 15, Friday, the 1^st day of Unleavened Bread.

So, are you asking where did the Passover meal go? Aren’t they supposed to eat the Passover meal on Passover day? NO! Much to many peoples’ surprise the Biblical injunction is that the Passover meal is to be eaten AFTER dark at the end of the day of Aviv 14. This means the day has changed from Thursday the 14^th to Friday the 15th…..the 1^st day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. That’s right: the Passover meal technically is NOT eaten on Passover Day; it is the first meal of the new day on the Feast of Matza. Why? Because that’s exactly as it was in Egypt. They were still eating the Passover meal at around midnight we’re told, on Aviv 15, when Yehoveh killed all the unprotected firstborns throughout Egypt.

Now what did say earlier that was special and different about the 1^st day of Matza? It was a festival Sabbath day (not the 7^th day Shabbat, simply an added Sabbath for preparation purposes). Friday Aviv 15^th was a festival Sabbath day. It had some of the same requirements as the 7^th Day Sabbath in that handling a human corpse was prohibited on a Sabbath. That is why we read in the Gospels that there was a frenzy to get Jesus buried before dark, when the day changed from Festival of Pesach to the 1^st day of Matza, which was a festival Sabbath day.

Aviv 15^th was an uneventful day; it was Friday, the festival Sabbath to begin the weeklong Feast of Unleavened Bread. The 15^th day of Aviv ends at sundown and now it is now Saturday, Aviv 16^th; this is (of course) the regular Hebrew weekly 7^th day Sabbath. I already mentioned that while for the past several centuries Firstfruits has been celebrated on Aviv 16 (as a permanent tradition), in fact it was only the Rabbis (who were Pharisees) who long ago ordered it done this way, as opposed to the way it was observed in Jesus’ day. And this change in observance occurred AFTER the Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. when the priesthood became non-operational. Remember, the Sadducees were the High Priests at this time and so with the end of the Temple and the priesthood the Sadducees lost their control over the matter of ritual and tradition. After the destruction of the Temple the Rabbis now got their way and they decided that rather than Firstfruits moving around on the calendar it would ALWAYS be Aviv 16^th that Firstfruits would be celebrated on.

Notice that by this timeline Yeshua has been in the tomb for 3 days and 3 nights just as the prophecy of Jonah in the belly of the great fish demonstrated, and that Messiah said would be manifested in Him.

Shalom,

Torah Bible Study - Thanks to Tom & Becky for sharing their studies and knowledge!!!!

Does God Turn Your Offerings and Praise Away?

2011-03-09T16:19:00.003-06:00

Scripture ref. is below.

Are we like the Israelites as described in Chapt. 5 of Amos? Do we offer up "religious" worship? Do we give our tithes and offerings as a ritual or performance based? Do we say we love our neighbors and those around us and weep over movies and video clips we see of homelessness and children that are hungry? Stop and think......Here in Austin we have a big homeless, teenage pregnancy, and hungry men, women and children problem. I am sure Austin is no different than other medium to large city across America. Do you drive by and start judging those you see on the street corner or the mom paying with a welfare card in the grocery line? Do you start to question their motives or lack of ambition or better yet their cheating of the system? Being honest and true to the questions above, I would have to answer "yes" to each one of them at some point and time. Am I proud? No. Do I worry sometimes about "being had?" Yes. Do I let it run in my mind that "someone else will give them something." Yes. Do I sometimes think that they are in that situation because it is easier for them to beg than work. Yes.

When I sat down today and truly studies Amos 5 both in English and Hebrew translations, I found myself exploring the possibility that I offer at times religious, ritual performance based worship and relationship. My heart sunk and felt so heavy. Is this really the best I have to offer my Lord?

In the scriptures below it speaks of how the Israelites were anxious and excited and calling upon the day of God's culminating vengeance again her enemies, the day when their mighty Sovereign would fight on their behalf (Isa. 34:1-3, 8; Jer. 46:10). On that day she thought He would turn His wrath on the wicked nations, punishing with disaster and death those who had threatened His people (Zeph. 3:8; Zech. 14 1-3). On that day Israel would be permanently secured from danger and exalted among all nations of the earth (Isa. 24:21-23; Joel 3). They did not realize, however that it;s horrors would fall, not only on the nations, but also on them. The truth Amos declared, was that Israel herself had become God's enemy.

He spoke of what their days would be like which were in complete contrast to what they believed. They had turned and made their worship something other than what God had meant it to be. God hated and despised (Amos 5:21-22) their religious hypocrisy, their "religious" feast. He loathed every part of their "religious" worship. (Amos 4:4-5).

Amos 5:24 speaks to instead of ritual and performance, God wanted a relentless commitment to Justice and righteousness. He wanted passionate concern that would roll on like an every flowing river.....like a never-failing stream that did not run dry. God wanted a day to day life of surging integrity and goodness. God wanted a relationship NOT religion. But even though the nation would be in exile did not mean the individuals had to be. God still appealed to individuals to separate themselves from their guilty nation. If people would seek good, not evil, generosity not greed. If they would hate evil and injustice, then God Almighty would be with them just as they were claiming. Remember God is a jealous God of our worship, time and offerings.....why would he get so angry and demand it to be stopped?

It crushes me because Worship through song and music are such a huge part of my life. Does he ever say to me "STOP IT" "stop your sining and praising" "put your hands down and quit playing church" as he did to them (vs 23)? Does he reject my offerings as he did them (vs 21-22)? When we assemble together in Christian fellowship both at church and homes does it smell bad (vs 21-22)? Does he say as in this scripture that "He cannot stand our assemblies?"

It all boils down to this..... Israel was very Blessed but yet they had not been a Blessing.

In these scriptures it speaks over and over again about ministering to the poor, and the oppressed, and to fight against injustice. God finally had enough and washed his hands of them due to their selfishness.

Don't over analyze people and their situations. Don't stand in judgement. Do not be greedy with your time and resources. God tells us to be a blessing, not to decide who deserves it and who doesn't. Thats Gods job not ours. God will bring justice to all good and bad. Let God do His job and we as Christians need to do ours.

I challenge you to make a point to bless someone today, tomorrow and each day there after.

Shalom

*Click Here to hear passage read in Hebrew* *Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)*	*New International Version (NIV)*
1 Hear this word that I take up against you in lament, house of Isra'el:	1 Hear this word, O house of Israel, this lament I take up concerning you:
2 The virgin of Isra'el has fallen; she will not rise again. She lies abandoned on her own soil with no one to lift her up.	2 "Fallen is Virgin Israel, never to rise again, deserted in her own land, with no one to lift her up."
3 For thus says Adonai ELOHIM: "The city from which a thousand marched will be left with a hundred, and the one from which a hundred marched will be left with ten from the house of Isra'el."	3 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "The city that marches out a thousand strong for Israel will have only a hundred left; the town that marches out a hundred strong will have only ten left."
4 For here is what ADONAI says to the house of Isra'el: "If you seek me, you will survive;	4 This is what the LORD says to the house of Israel: "Seek me and live;
5 but don't seek Beit-El, or enter Gilgal or pass on into Be'er-Sheva; for Gilgal will certainly go into exile, and Beit-El will come to nothing."	5 do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will be reduced to nothing."
6 If you seek ADONAI, you will survive. Otherwise, he will break out against the house of Yosef like fire, devouring Beit-El, with no one to quench the flames.	6 Seek the LORD and live, or he will sweep through the house of Joseph like a fire; it will devour, and Bethel will have no one to quench it.
7 You who turn justice to bitter wormwood and throw righteousness to the ground!	7 You who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground
8 He who made the Pleiades and Orion, who brings deathlike shadows over the morning, who darkens the day into night, who calls for the water in the sea and with it floods the earth - ADONAI is his name	8 (he who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns blackness into dawn and darkens day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land-- the LORD is his name--
9 he flashes destruction on the strong, so that destruction overcomes the fortress.	9 he flashes destruction on the stronghold and brings the fortified city to ruin),
10 They hate anyone promoting justice at the city gate, they detest anyone who speaks the truth.	10 you hate the one who reproves in court and despise him who tells the truth.
11 Therefore, because you trample on the poor and extort from them levies of grain; although you have built houses of cut stone, you will not live in them; and though you have planted pleasant vineyards, you will not drink their wine.	11 You trample on the poor and force him to give you grain. Therefore, though you have built stone mansions, you will not live in them; though you have planted lush vineyards, you will not drink their wine.
12 For I know how numerous are your crimes and how outrageous your sins - bullying the innocent, extorting ransoms pushing the poor aside at the gate.	12 For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. You oppress the righteous and take bribes and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts.
13 At times like these a prudent person stays silent, for it is an evil time.	13 Therefore the prudent man keeps quiet in such times, for the times are evil.
14 Seek good and not evil, so that you will survive. Then Adonai ELOHEI-Tzva'ot will be with you, as you say he is.	14 Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.
15 Hate evil, love good, and uphold justice at the gate. Maybe Adonai ELOHEI-Tzva'ot will take pity on the survivors of Yosef.	15 Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.
16 Therefore thus says Adonai ELOHEI-Tzva'ot, Adonai: "In all public squares there will be lamentation, in all the streets they will cry, 'Oh, no!' They will summon farmers to mourn and professional mourners to wail.	16 Therefore this is what the Lord, the LORD God Almighty, says: "There will be wailing in all the streets and cries of anguish in every public square. The farmers will be summoned to weep and the mourners to wail.
17 There will be wailing in every vineyard, for I will pass through among you," says ADONAI.	17 There will be wailing in all the vineyards, for I will pass through your midst," says the LORD.
18 Woe to you who want the Day of ADONAI! Why do you want it, this Day of ADONAI? It is darkness, not light;	18 Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! Why do you long for the day of the LORD? That day will be darkness, not light.
19 as if someone were to run from a lion, just to be met by a bear; as if he entered a house, put his hand on the wall, just to be bitten by a snake.	19 It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear, as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him.
20 Won't the Day of ADONAI be darkness, not light, completely dark, with no brightness at all?	20 Will not the day of the LORD be darkness, not light-- pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?
21 "I hate, I utterly loathe your festivals; I take no pleasure in your solemn assemblies.	21 "I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies.
22 If you offer me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; nor will I consider the peace offerings of your stall-fed cattle.	22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them.
23 Spare me the noise of your songs! I don't want to hear the strumming of your lutes!	23 Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 Instead, let justice well up like water, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.	24 But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
25 Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings in the desert forty years, house of Isra'el?	25 "Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the desert, O house of Israel?
26 No, but now you will bear Sikkut as your king and Kiyun, your images, the star of your god, which you made for yourselves;	26 You have lifted up the shrine of your king, the pedestal of your idols, the star of your god-- which you made for yourselves.
27 as I exile you beyond Dammesek," says Adonai ELOHEI-Tzva'ot - that is his name.	27 Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Damascus," says the LORD, whose name is God Almighty.

When Selfishness, Pride and Money Divides People

2011-02-24T12:54:00.005-06:00

Some people are so miserable, bitter, greedy and so hateful that even their own family members don't come around or like to be around them. That is so sad because eventually they will be completely alone. Bitterness and a harden heart are hard "roots" to cut. I wish they could realize whatever you sow into lives you will reap. It must be sooo exhausting to have such turmoil constantly brewing in your spirit. I see no love in these people other than for themselves.

When families fight over inheritance and power....do they not realize that honestly the money is NOT theirs nor does it "belong" to them? It is a "Gift" from a loved one and not "owed." And the power is only for a short time. Families have been destroyed because of this which again I feel is a result of greed, self centered and entitlement. When I look around it looks to me like so many are only concerned about "what's in it for me" or making sure one person doesn't get more than another or even belittling each other. Really?????

This behavior seems to cross all lines of race, origin, wealthy or poor. I am heard of and seen people that have fought each other over very little money. I have experienced and seen people that like to throw their authority around and boast about who they are.

I am sure this has gone on for centuries. It makes me think...when did we as people get so far off the beaten path. I have watch money divide my own family to where there is no relationship what so ever now over money and perception of a situation. Now those people are gone and it can never be mended. So sad and what a loss for future generations.

It makes me wonder what God himself has said to these people when they came face to face. I am sure he must be so disappointed on many levels. What will he say when you and I get there? Have we made him proud or sickened him by our foolishness and childish behaviors.

Have we honored our friends and family that have passed on by our behavior after they left this world? I wonder what has happened in the past that has made it a realization of all those that are put in nursing homes and forgotten about, mental wards, or living on the streets? Where did it all go wrong with them and their families?

Yes, money "can" be the root of all evil if that is the god you are serving.

In case I haven't said it enough....

I LOVE and am so thankful for my husband, Brandon, Katie, Blake, Whitney, mom, dad, Kevin, Shay, Jennifer, Deanna, Braden, Sheri, David, and my many close friends who are like family to me. I wouldn't want to walk my journey of life without anyone of you.
I am truly blessed.

1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves
1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
Proverbs 28:25
The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper.
Luke 12:15
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Proverbs 17:25
A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.
Ephesians 4:30-32
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Psalm 10:3
He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
Proverbs 18:1
An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
James 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

Men...what example do they exhibit to our sons? What is a real man?

2011-02-17T15:13:00.001-06:00

I came across this question today and found it interesting. I guess it depends on who you ask.
Over the years I have seen my "MAN" change. When we were young he was short tempered, full of pride, and felt no one but him had the right answers. Over time through life experiences and him being in the word much more, he has changed. He now according to Titus 2:2, 6-8 is now a "real man." Dont get me wrong he does slipped back into that "boy" stage every once in a while, but, his desire is to be as Titus teaches.
I dont want to say that I have "regrets" raising our boys even though we made A LOT of mistakes. I look at those mistakes as a time of teaching our children about asking forgiveness, giving forgiveness, humility, and not to take yourself too serious all the time. But....I do wish that this verse would have been more of a driving force in our household and example when they were young. Thank God it is never to late to be that example and admit you didn't know it all when we were raising our children. Start NOW....Even though ours are adults, and even if they dont want to admit it, they do still on some level watch and listen to us (their father) for direction and wisdom.
And when it becomes time for us to become Mimi and grandpa (he has not clue what he wants to be called) he and we will again get the chance to model this truth to a new generation.
So stop and think...
"What is a "Real Man" society tells us what they feel is a real man. Funny thing is......it doesn't resemble what Titus speaks of at all.
Girls....as you are looking for your life time mate....use this scripture and ask yourself if he is what you and your future children need and desire. Dont go in hoping to change them or them change on their own. That is a disaster waiting to happen.

Picture taken at our oldest son's wedding. I have to say I am SO proud of how they turned
out, knowing it was not because of who we were but because of who HE is.

Titus 2:2, 6-8 says:

Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is... good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

"So, according to these verses, what characteristics should a man possess?

1. Temperate A real man is able to control his emotions. He does not let anger, frustration, or any other emotion get the best of him. He controls his emotions, his emotions do not control him. Let it be noted that this does not by any stretch of the imagination mean a man should be emotion-LESS. It simply means that a man's emotions should not control how he acts.

2. Worthy of respect Simply put, a real man should show Christlike character. People should look at him as someone of good character and reputation.

3. Self-controlled This goes hand in hand with temperance. While temperance means that a man controls his emotions, self-control simply means that a man controls his actions.

4. Sound in faith A real man knows what he believes and does not compromise that. A real man has a firm foundation in God and His Word.

5. Sound in love A real man knows what love is, and how to show it to others. This is not the mushy-gushy feeling kind of love. This is Christlike love.

6. Sound in endurance A real man does not give up easily. His character is able to endure even when tested.

7. Seriousness This does not mean that a man cannot be funny. Rather, a man knows the proper time to be funny, but also knows when the time is not proper and is serious when he needs to be.

8. Soundness of speech A man guards his mouth. He uses his words to edify and exhort others, never to tear them down.

9. Set...an example I left this one until last because this is the one that I really want to expound upon. A man is a leader. This does not necessarily mean that he is in a position of leadership, but he always sets a good examples for those who watch him. Although not explicitly stated in Titus 2, a man also needs to be a leader with women. (Not necessarily all women in all circumstances, but as a general rule.)

I know some will disagree with me on this point, but in MY study of Scripture I have come to the firm conclusion that God meant for men to be the leaders.

This does not mean that men should "rule over" women. But men need to step up to the plate, to be the initiators and leaders, especially in relational and spiritual matters. This really is the best way, because it is the way God designed things to be."

Wow..It's been awhile but I was moved to get up and MOVE today...

2011-02-14T13:55:00.000-06:00

I came across this, this morning and it started my wheels to turning. I have been in a place of "stillness." For me that is not a comfortable place to be. I'm not speaking of the place of stillness where you meet God..No, something much different. Stillness lately has been more about loneliness, boredom, stale, blues and selfishness.

As you can see my last post was quite some time ago. I didn't feel I had anything to say of any real importance yet our life has been like a storm since the last post. Some have been about the rolling thunder while others have been about the beating of the rain, the whirling wind and the lightning strikes while other times have been more like the gentle quiet soft rain hitting the tin roof and washing my heart and commitment new.

During my idleness time this morning I came across this. It was written by Brene Brown. Wow...for what ever reason it awakened my spirit and my heart. I feel for whatever reason I am like a fresh spring flower peaking through the dirt as it is about to bloom for another season. I am awake and eager to start living, appreciating and making a difference in life again.

This quote deeply moved me...

"In a culture that tells us that being imperfect is synonymous with being inadequate, and that being vulnerable is being weak, it is so much easier to criticize than it is to contribute. "

And isn't that the truth!

Today...of course being Valentine's Day I am choosing to be a woman who looks for ways to contribute rather than taking the easy road of criticizing. It is amazing how quickly a negative and unkind word can spill from our mouths. (At least for me!) Our unmet expections can get us snagged in ungratefulness and a critical spirit. Today being a day which focuses of loving, serving and surprising....I choose to enter in with a happy "value added" heart.

Here are some ways I am practicing this today.

1. Woke up this morning and read a devotional on joy. I asked God to help me choose joy and I invited him to control my thoughts and mind. (Prov 17:22) AMP

2. Thought though the love languages of my husband and children. Planned to express this love in one meaningful way today. I am choosing to be intentional.

3. Called three friends whom I know will have a challenge today...all of them are struggling with broken hearts. One has just gone though a divorce, another is a widow of 8 years and another a young college woman who's heart has just been devastated over a recent breakup.

How about you?

I encourage you to find three ways to contribute life, love and hope today into the hearts of just one. Start simply friend...but simply start.

And Happy Valentine's Day!

The Blame Game...

2009-04-20T10:40:00.002-05:00

Guilt is a killer. It burdens the conscience, weighs on the spirit and deadens relationships. To eliminate guilt, the cause must be eliminated. Eventually, the prodigal repented, eliminating the cause and therefore the guilt. Many do not. Rather than face responsibility for sin, many blame those whose upright lifestyle ever reminds them of their own failure. The Bible talks about people who not only take delight in the base things of this world, but also applaud others who think up new ways to behave even more lasciviously. They even hold awards ceremonies to honor their new inventions of wickedness.
John Lenin said he would not speak of being an atheist but instead would speak of religion as an entirely private matter. If Christianity can be privatized, it can then be penalized and ultimately criminalized. That pattern prevailed in the communist Soviet Union and Romania. There are symptoms of it in America.
It will make for tough times.....
It IS getting tough when.....

in New York, six homosexual /abortion radicals committed vile acts as they interrupted Cardinal O'Cnnor's Mass in Saint Patrick's Cathedral. They trashed the host, chained themselves to pews, hurled condoms, spouted obscenities during his sermon and fell limp in the aisles in protest to his preaching AGAINST abortion and homosexual life style. They were sentenced to community service without fine or penalty.
a man simply blocked the entrance to an abortion clinic and was fined $25,000 and ordered to pay $157,000 in layer's fees.
A schoolgirl's religious materials were taken from her by her teacher, then thrown away by the principal who told her mother, "I will not have religious materials on my campus." Yet humanism and revisionist history pervade our school textbooks.
Citizens invaded church grounds, barricaded church members in the building by blocking the door, threw stones at those who tried to enter and traumatized the member's children by taunting "We want your children, Give us your children." Yet the very next year a Florida District Court ruled that a religion-free "buffer zone" could be established around an abortion clinic, allowing only pro-abortion rhetoric-meaning that on public streets and sidewalks, homosexuals can terrorize Christians, but Christians cannot peaceable protest the killing of the unborn.
a college student was fired from his job as a resident adviser for talking in the dorm about his Christian faith
an alcohol rehabilitation nurse was fired for "violating word rules" by praying with patients after being asked BY the patient to pray for them.

Persecution of Christians is just an attempt to rid the world of Jesus Christ, which can't be done. Satan tried it and couldn't do it . Others have also tried it and failed. But, what we can face is the judgment that can come upon our country who was once and I believe still is, founded on the word, laws and morals of God. His judgment can and will come upon those who turn against his teachings.

Faith...

2009-03-30T11:13:00.008-05:00

Have you ever thought you had done something sooo right and to the best of your ability to later find maybe you missed something? The kids were home for the weekend and we were all at the table having lunch. At our table... you never know what the topic or discussion will be ;-) That day it was some of the stories of the bible. Now, my faith is something I feel very strong about. Our boys proceeded to state that there were "some" of the stories that they feel are made up.... they also went on to explain that some of the stories are so far fetched that, that is the reason so many do not believe the bible. They did not stop there!!! They went on to agree and explain that they felt that through the years that the bible has been added to and distorted. They explained it as the child hood game of whispering something to someone and by the time it makes it around the circle it is not the original message. We tried to explain some "stories" are parables and which ones were and which ones are not. They did not completely agree on which ones were and which were not. Let's just say by the end of the first few sentences I was boiling inside, confused at where we had gone wrong, upset, worried about their faith and salvation, confused.... you name it I was feeling it. One even said "watch out, this is one place you can really get mom's blood boiling." I sat there with my mind going ninety to nothing never showing "all" of my emotions. I could not believe what I was hearing. I asked...if you do not believe the bible is truth by faith then how in the world can you believe Jesus is the son of God and walked this earth, died for all people by faith? I was dumb founded!!! They both agreed they believe in God just not "all" the stories and the bible "exactly" as it is written. And when something happens they call me and ask me to pray or I hear they ask someone there with them to pray. Both of them went through very hard break ups in the past and they both went to scripture searching for comfort. I thought.. how can this be??? We do not just talk the talk we really live it! We walk, run and crawl back to the word in times of joy, sadness, confusion. It is always the first place we turn and have always modeled that to the boys. Both of them at one time wanted to go into ministry. We have prayed and taught and led by example. I just keeping asking...."What did we do wrong? What did we miss?" As our children grow we think about their up bringing and something wondered.....how in the world can they think that way? How can they behave that way? We have one child that was the most gentle, loving, caring child. He was voted everyone's best friend and most caring in school. He now appears to be hard, sarcastic, short tempered, self centered and judgmental. I again don't understand....when was that moment of change? What happened to change him? Will he ever be that person again because I much prefer to be around that person.
A part of my heart says..thank goodness they don't just "sway" with whatever someone tells them. They have to "know" it for themselves. And I am thankful that they are leaders and NOT followers. They both think on their own and make their own choices. All I can do at this point is pray, continue to lead by example, stand on God's promises about our children, and ask God "what am I to learn through this"? There are so many times I wish they were small children again that listened to us, valued our opinion, came to us with their questions and fears. Those small boys that we could filter what and who they listened to. With mixed emotions I know that is not the season of life we are in....They are both "men" now. They stand for what "they" believe, they search for "their" way and they learn life's lessons as men. I never thought is would be this hard. I am sure all of our parents felt the same way about each of us as we were experiencing life and seeking the world through the eyes as young adults. I will continue to pray........

A day at the zoo...

2009-03-18T22:55:00.008-05:00

Spent the entire day at the zoo then came home and cooked at birthday dinner in honor of my mom. It was a great dinner.. just as my previous blog entry said.. what a blessing to live so close to family. Our house was filled with laughter tonight. It was my husband, James, our son Blake and one of his long time friends Alex (14 year friendship) my mom & dad, my brother & of course Shay... The 20 year olds were racing the 7 year old at who could put together a Clifford the dog puzzle the fastest...they each had their own puzzle and the winner finished first... Something very demented when a 20 year old "thinks" they have accomplished something by beating a 7 year old at a puzzle ;-) Great times that I truly treasure.
The zoo was packed and hot. Not to mention most of the animals were not on display. I have been very disappointed in the Dallas zoo the last few times I have been. I think we will try FtWorth next time. But all in all a GREAT day...Great memories and fun time. Tomorrow is Mrs. Baird's Bakery Factory Tour. Should be fun.. I hope we get fresh hot bread samples!

A day on a farm (kind of)

2009-03-17T22:49:00.009-05:00

Our day at Owens Country Sausage Farm...

Ok, warning.... my blog this week will be about the absolute JOY of having an amazing niece. May I just say...we have had such a blast this week.. I am exhausted but full of joy!
I am so thankful to God that he moved us back to Dallas after a layoff. It was one of the darkest periods of our life...My husband was the sole provider, 9-11 had "just" happened and we celebrated our 17th anniversary on 9-10. We could not understand it at the time but now completely see the blessing.
We would have never moved "back home" had it not been for that period. We were with out a job for almost 1 year. My husband was working for a Dutch/German owned company. His job afforded us to be able to travel and spend the summer in Europe with our children. He traveled the world during that time and he LOVED his job. It was all over with no warning in a blink of the eye. Owners came in with no warning and cleaned out all upper management. After almost a year we decided for him to go back to work for a small mom & pop owned company in the Dallas area that he had worked for in the very beginning of his career (1978). He said one day..."lets go home". I thought.. it's not that easy.. we STILL need a job and we have a house that needs to sell. During that period we were in Austin and the bottom of the "tech" sector had fallen out. Every major company and even the small ones were laying off. Everyday we would hear thousands more were loosing their jobs. I thought... we will never sell our house. Ok, can I just say I was putting such limits on God. With in 1 week of us deciding to "go home" which is Plano / McKinney area, James had a job, and our house sold for exact asking price (we were told we were over pricing it), on the day we listed and they needed us out in 2 weeks. WOW!!! God can move so fast ;-).....Anyway, I now see that it took that nudge, ok PUSH to bring us back to our family. Since the move James' dad has lost his wife, my dad has had back surgery and my parents own property and need help with it, I have an awesome niece that stays ALOT with us. It is truly like a village raising and standing in the gap for our family. I am so thankful that we are here for our family and we get to be involved in the raising and nurturing of Shay. Not to mention we are exactly where we are supose to be as far a serving and worshiping.
Thank you Lord for being "all knowing" and loving us enough to not allow us to miss this time... God's timing is perfect even if we have to walk through some fire before getting to the blessing.

Our day at Frisco Fire Safety Town!

2009-03-16T17:52:00.002-05:00

Click on photo to enlarge
Today was an awesome day.. I have forgotten how exhausting kids can be ;-) We had a great time. She loved the miniature size town and having to obey all of the safety rules of the street. She (my niece Shay) LOVED LOVED LOVED the fire truck. Her favorite seat was the drivers of course. She kept asking "does Brandon do it this way"?
We made home made meatballs for spaghetti and will be "walking" to sonic for ice cream a little later. We "may" through in the park...not sure I can last and thank god for DVR since Dancing With The Stars comes on tonight.
Tomorrow is Owens Country Sausage tour and our church has an equestrian ministry on our grounds. One of the horses just had a colt yesterday... We are going to let Shay see it. It is sooo
cute and beautiful paint..not even sure if it is a he or she at this point.

Spring Break with my niece.. this is going to be an AWESOME week!!

2009-03-16T11:46:00.006-05:00

Now...let me help you all understand....this picture was taken at 11:00am....Shay (my 7 year old niece) and Gunner were NOT moving very fast...it is now 11:47 and she is biting at the bits to "go somewhere".
We are heading to the city of Frisco Safety Town to learn about severe weather. Really neat program for the kids.. check it out. http://www.friscotexas.gov/safetytown/Pages/default.aspx

Today was grocery day!!! $153.94 for ONLY $61.13

2009-03-13T22:50:00.009-05:00

Cost before discounts and coupons $153.94
Final cost after discounts & coupons $61.13
Click on picture to enlarge.

Computer is finally back up and running

2009-03-13T21:48:00.003-05:00

Ok... so like I have to totally reload all of my programs. Thank God I store all of my important stuff on a server through the internet! I have not been able to finish my requirements for the award.. Please be sure to check out these other blogs...

http://orgjunkie.com/

http://www.titus2atthewell.com/

http://www.bloomwhereyouareaplanted.blogspot.com/

http://www.praiseandcoffee.blogspot.com/

http://www.kandilooandhercrew.blogspot.com/

http://www.leblanclife.com/

http://moneysavingmethods.blogspot.com/

I recieved an award....my first!!!!

2009-03-11T10:18:00.004-05:00

http://cheapbychoice.blogspot.com/ gave me the Kreative Award. The rules are:
List 7 things I love and gave the award to 7 blogs.
Things I love:
1. My two grown children still wrestling and laughing out loud with each other (all time favorite)their pictures are below....love you both!
2. Family cookouts with our family, mom & dad, Kevin, (brother), Echo (sister in law) and Shay (niece)
3. Beach vacations & diving
4. Motorcycle weekends hitting the back roads
5. My Friends ( I have the best!!!)
6. Margarita's at Blue Goose down on lower Greenville ave in Dallas
7. Spending $150 in groceries but only paying $40 aprx after coupons!!!
The 7 blogs I give the award to to follow a little later

Thoughts to ponder.....

2009-03-10T10:44:00.015-05:00

The discipline of daily devotion to God undergirds decisions.
Perseverance will always outlast persecution.
A person's beliefs hold the greatest potential for good or harm in life.
Wrong conduct is based on wrong beliefs.
What you believe is basis for conduct, character and destiny.
Whatever God authors, He will complete. Whatever God promises, He will fulfill, Whatever is committed to Him, God will keep.
It's better to pray to BE READY for opportunities when they come than to pray they come.
The counterfeit trinity is "me, myself and I."

Be sure to sign up to the right for email updates and leave your comments below.

Monday's Journal

2009-03-09T08:07:00.009-05:00

Monday's Daybook.... March 9, 2009 @ 7:30am

Outside my window...Song birds singing, two blue jays wrestling on the grass

I am thinking... what will God show me today in my quiet time

I am thankful for...Grace, my family, friends, quiet mornings

From the learning rooms...double factors plus one....my nieces homework

From the kitchen... Bagel, COFFEE, tonight pork chops!!

I am wearing...fluffy bathrobe, woolly socks and a LARGE cup of coffee

I am creating...relationships that will last a life time

I am going...to walk the dogs at the park

I am reading...Beauty by The Book
Becoming A Biblically Beautiful Woman. A 7-week study of the five females from Proverbs
I am hoping...for Brandon to get on a fire department around DFW

I am hearing...God saying... "I am still in control"

Around the house...lazy dogs, quiet praise and worship, the sun peeking through the blinds

One of my favorite things...Quiet time with James on the back patio just before bed

A few plans for the rest of the week:visit mom, bowling with friends, mother /son (Blake 20 yrs)dinner out for catching up on his life, women's coffee at my house....

IF you enjoy my blog postings, please take the time to subscribe. Go to right hand side of blog and scroll down to where it says "get email updates".

Mondays Menu

2009-03-08T20:40:00.002-05:00

Monday - Pork Chops, Salad, Vegetable
Tuesday - Hamburger Helper, Texas Toast
Wed. - Stew, Cornbread
Thursday - Taco, Spanish Rice
Friday - Steak, Baked Potato
Saturday - Hot Dogs & Baked Beans (something quick... going bowling with friends)
Sunday - Roast, McCheese, Roasted Potato

FREE SMALL FRY & FOUNTAIN DRINK AT JACK IN THE BOX.....

2009-03-07T14:59:00.002-06:00

March 10, 2009..........click here for the coupon and link http://coupon.hangintherejack.com/fry-drink.php

Your Report Card

2009-02-26T11:33:00.003-06:00

So...who all are you passing your report card out to to fill in your grades? How many different "subjects" does your report card report? Maybe,the subject of mother, daughter, wife, employee, employer, church leader, community leader, neighbor???? How exhausting.....how exhausting it can be to "try" and wear so many titles and be all things to all people. Can we ever "really" measure up? Maybe for a day...maybe even two. Do you remember those days back in school when you just knew you had done well on a test? You had done everything within your power to prepare for that test and in your own mind you felt confident.....only to get that test paper back graded and be a much lower grade than you expected or you failed. You received a grade you did not expect in spite of trying so hard. It can knock the wind right out of you, you start loosing confidence, next time you go to take a test, you find yourself second guessing yourself.
Life can be that same way......you on any given day are going to disappoint someone, unwillingly, or maybe willingly depending on your attitude that day or maybe you hurt someones spirit. Maybe someone had expectations on you that you could never measure up to. Maybe someone in their own attitude and walking in the flesh decided to make you the target of their frustration or criticism. Heck... maybe you being human just flat out fail in the eyes of our world.
You will find yourself in complete condemnation, bondage, guilt, tired, weary, feeling unappreciated, prosecuted...hmmm sound familiar??
Stop and remember... you only have one that truly has the right to fill out your grade on that report card. He is the only one that really knows your heart. He is the only one that can truly pass judgement upon us. If we wake each morning and pray before our feet ever hit the ground the full armor of God and walk in His Spirit....if we truly, honestly, and earnestly seek God in His Word, prayer, worship, "quiet" time listening for His voice....... if we chase after having a heart, and wisdom like Him..... then we will not fail in the eyes of God. He turns what we see as failures into victories after walking through them with us.
We need to sit back and rest....we need to realize that some of those "busy works" we fail at are because they were never meant for us to do ....Are you too quick to say "yes" again seeking mans approval? God calls us to be Kingdom builders not "thing" builders. Nor should we seek and crave those pats on the back or the recognitions from man.
If I am seeking to bring a smile to God's face and hearing his words... "well done" then I am a success. My only desire is to see His "A" on my report card. My grade does not come from my performance but comes from who He is to me and the condition of my heart.
People pleasing is exhausting but God pleasing is FREEING!!

Galatians 1:10 "Am I trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."

MardiGras Dog Parade

2009-02-24T10:12:00.000-06:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

DONT FORGET....

2009-02-24T06:51:00.003-06:00

SEE BELOW....details on free tacos and pancakes... all you with college kids call them!!!!! Today will be a day of cheap eating for them ;-)

IF you enjoy my blog postings, please take the time to subscribe. Go to right hand side of blog and scroll down to where it says subscribe.

Oh I forgot! FREE movie at RedBox

2009-02-23T11:03:00.002-06:00

TOMORROW IS FREE TACOs AT JACK IN THE BOX!!! Click link below for coupon
http://coupon.hangintherejack.com/two-tacos.php?referrer=TACOS

Free movie at Redbox!
The code a free movie at Redbox is S39XKT. The code is good until midnight tonight. For more information and a location near you go to http://www.redbox.com/